Judge tosses Massachusetts lawsuit over birth control rules

Updated 5:01 pm, Monday, March 12, 2018

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has tossed the Massachusetts attorney general's lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration over rules allowing more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women.

U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton ruled against Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey on Monday. Gorton said the state lacks standing to sue.

Healey said in a statement that she's disappointed in the decision but remains committed to ensuring "affordable and reliable reproductive health care for women."

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law in November that aims to guarantee insurance coverage for women's birth control regardless of changes in federal policy.